By means of a system dynamics, a block and a structure editor it is possible to clearly specify and vividly document a complex model such as RegioPlan+, a simulation model to be used for regional planning, for which a hierarchical model structure with relatively small and clear modules is required.
The class concept of the object-orientated idea in the simulation is perfectly supported by the possibility to represent a model class by a block and to integrate it into the model as often as required.
The advantages of a simulation model specified in this way are the quick development with reduced error susceptibility, the documentation being established at the same time and the easy model maintenance by means of clear graphical methods. Even a non-expert in computers can work with the model, which is extremely important for a regional planning model like RegioPlan+.
After studying computer science in Erlangen Norbert Grebe started working in 1991 as an assistant at the Chair for Operations Research and Systems Theory (Prof. Dr. Bernd Schmidt) at the Institute for Mathematics and Computer Science at the University of Passau. After two years he changed to the Bavarian Research Centre For Knowledge Based Systems (FORWISS) which is located at Erlangen, Munich and Passau to start working on the project RegioPlan+.
Besides this his main professional interests are continuous simulations of all kinds, especially of sewage purification plants (model "ARASIM") and cleaning plants in the metalworking industry (model "Cleaner"). He is also co-producer of the journal "Simulation in Passau" which is published approximately twice a year by the Chair for Operations Research and Systems Theory.
More information is available in the World Wide Web
http://www.uni-passau.de/forwiss/index.eng.htmland at
.http://www.uni-passau.de/fmi/lehrstuehle/schmidt/uebersicht.html